316 THE CANADIAN NATURALISTo [Vol. vii. 



years rich in solar spots are in general drier and more fruitful 

 than those of an opposite character, while the latter are wetter 

 and stormier than the former." Gautier, from a more extended 

 series ot observations, including both Europe and America, has 

 deduced an exactly opposite conclusion, which, from the evidence 

 of the great lakes, would appear to be the correct one. 



It is quite possible, however, that both may be true (see " Solar 

 Physics," p. 430). The great lakes lying at the base of the 

 Laurentides, where moisture-bearing winds from the southward 

 and westward are interrupted in their course, and meet with 

 cold currents journeying over these hills from the north, are es- 

 sentially in an area of precipitation, and greater precipitation 

 would here be the natural result of greater solar energy. In 

 other regions excessive evaporation may result from the same 

 cause, and this may account for the gradual desiccation which 

 on the authority of many observers is going on at present over 

 great areas of the inland plains of the west. 



The observations here given cannot be accepted as conclusive, 

 but derive additional importance from the large area which they 

 represent, and may suggest more systematic investigation of the 

 subject, and the accumulation of accurate observations, which in 

 the course of years may lead to results of greater value. 



From Nature, April 30th, 1874. 



